Letters to the Editor: Girls Government on youth suicide

Growing problem

I am concerned about the growing problem of suicide. About 3,600 people die by suicide in Canada each year — about 10 suicides per day.

I say “growing” problem because suicide rates have increased by 60 per cent worldwide in the last 45 years. For every suicide death, there are an estimated 20 to 25 attempts.

The best thing we can do to support people with suicidal tendencies is to be aware of the signs and to listen to those who might come to us for help. People thinking of suicide find ways to invite help from others. This support can be as simple as asking, “Are you OK?” followed by reporting what you hear to someone who can help.

We have many supports for people and families who have been affected by suicide. However, I believe people are afraid to speak up due to the stigma associated with suicide. For this reason I feel it would be beneficial if we educated people to be more suicide aware.

Adria Gioiosa

Grade 8 student

St. Paul Catholic elementary school

More prevention

We should focus more on suicide prevention. The more we focus on this topic, the more lives will be saved.

Multiple things can lead to suicide: depression, bullying, abuse, low self-esteem and lack of confidence.

In Canada suicide is one of the top-10 causes of death. There is no reason a person should take their own life no matter how bad their situation may be. We are losing countless lives every year due to suicide.

Although we cannot necessarily change how these individuals are feeling, we can make an effort to help them see the good in life by making more programs available for youth and adults who are struggling with the thought of taking their own lives.

People need to be more aware of how common suicide is in the 21st century, and that every person who takes their life is someone’s daughter or son, husband or wife, sister or brother.

Suicide is real and it’s sad and it needs to be stopped.

Kennedi Knoch

Grade 8 student

St. Paul Catholic elementary school

Bullying at root

Suicide is a word that some people are reluctant to say or think due to the impact it has made in the world.

Thousands of kids and teens have to face bullying, blackmailing and mental disorders. In the 21st century, society revolves around social media, which would mean the youth of our community could become aware of unrealistic expectations and standards. These unrealistic standards pressure teens and can cause health problems.

I believe a large portion of bullying is due to the LGBTQ+ youth not being accepted by other youth and family, eventually evolving into mental health disorders such as anxiety and depression.

In Canada, 396 youths die from suicide from ages 10 to 24 each year. The LGBTQ+ community is the most common group affected by suicide.

I have sadly known multiple people who have died by suicide or are struggling with severe suicidal thoughts due to lack of therapists and guidance counsellors.

We could set up extra grief and guidance counsellors in schools, have campaigns and organizations to raise awareness and most importantly, spread the word about youth suicide in schools and the news.

Social media a part

Hundreds of teens are dying by suicide due to bullying, harassment, blackmailing, abuse, etc. Suicide is the third leading cause of death in teens. Each year families suffer a loss of a loved one, which then leads to anxiety and depression.

I believe social media play a big role in suicide. Instagram and Twitter can be a platform for bullying. Kids get cyber-bullied daily and soon they have suicidal thoughts.

If we don’t prevent suicide from occurring it can have a big impact on our society. “Suicide doesn’t take away the pain; it gives it to someone else.”

There is a solution. We can make an organization to help the teens who are having suicidal thoughts.

I personally have never lost a family member to suicide, but I do know it is a traumatic and devastating experience. So let’s start our journey and make a difference.

Eman Tanveer

Grade 8 student

Clara Brenton elementary school

Talk to teens

I believe suicide is a huge issue for teens because sometimes they feel like they have nobody to talk to. Imagine having to bottle up all of your emotions.

As a community we can slowly change the way teens think and show them they have people to talk to.

One way we can help teens is by encouraging them to talk to you. Sometimes they will blow you off, but you have to keep trying. Teenagers will try their best to block you out, but deep down inside they will want to talk. Try asking someone how their day was, try not to get something more than the basic answer of “good.” You can tell them about rough patches in your life to show them they’re not alone.

If you don’t have a child, you can donate to a teen help-line. The person on the other end of the line won’t judge them for what they have to say.

Nowadays there are lots of teens coming out as gay or lesbian or transgender. If you have a child, raise them to be kind to anybody no matter their sexuality. Tell them that love is love and when they’re older they can love anybody they want to. Usually when teenagers come out in high school, there will be somebody making fun of them, so when we teach our children that’s OK when they’re growing up they will be less likely to be bullied or made fun of.

Amber Pridoehl

Grade 8 student

Clara Brenton elementary school

Problem is urgent

About one in five youth and children in Ontario will experience some form of mental health problem. Five out of six of these kids will not receive the treatment and counselling they need, which can lead to them attempting to harm themselves, or worse.

These disturbing statistics help make suicide the third leading cause of death for youth ages 15 to 24.

The main causes for suicide today in adolescents are mental disorders such as depression and bipolar disorder, and alcohol and drug abuse.

While we cannot control if someone has a mental illness, we can help them get the help and support they need and deserve. Sadly, a great number of young people don’t receive this help in time or even at all.

Just last year, in Woodstock, there was a suicide crisis involving five high school students who killed themselves. This led to a significant number of suicide attempts in the community. This should tell us we need to do something to prevent this from reoccurring.

Solving this issue is an urgent matter. As Ontarians, it should be our duty to encourage our government officials to help make more mental health services available.

If a young person is having thoughts about hurting themselves, then talking to a therapist months later will not help them.

Sara Enns

Grade 8 student

Clara Brenton elementary school

Wait for therapy takes too long

The people of Ontario should be concerned with how long the wait is to see a therapist for mental health and suicidal reasons. One in 10 patients are waiting for over a year just to be assessed.

We need to increase the amount of mental health therapists in Ontario.

Together, we need to support young people and shorten the amount of time people spend waiting. Lives are at stake. We need to act now.

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